West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust's commitment to improving the quality of working lives for all its employees has earned it national accreditation, and a place in the record books, for being the first NHS Trust to achieve the Work-Life Balance Standard. See press release...
Improving Working Lives
The NHS Plan makes a commitment to invest in NHS staff. It recognises that a modern NHS must offer staff a better deal in their working lives. Improving the working lives of staff contributes directly to better patient care through improved recruitment and retention – and because patients want to be treated by well-motivated fairly rewarded staff. The way NHS employers treat staff will in future be part of the core performance measures and linked to the financial resources they receive. [From the Department of Health Document - Improving Working Lives Standard].
THE IWL STANDARD
The Improving Working Lives Standard makes it clear that every member of staff in the NHS is entitled to work in an organisation which can prove that it is investing in more flexible, supportive and family friendly working arrangements that will improve diversity, tackle discrimination and harassment, and develop the skills of all its staff to improve patient services.
More information about the Improving Working Lives initiative can be found on the Department of Health IWL website.
The following sections explain how the West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust is implementing the scheme:
CHILDCARE CO-ORDINATOR
The childcare co-ordinator provides supports and advice for parents looking for childcare faculties and, for example, provides information to doctors and nurses moving into the area and to NHS employees returning to work after maternity leave.
CHILDCARE VOUCHER SCHEME
The Trust, working in conjunction with Busy Bees Childcare Ltd, has introduced a system whereby part of an employee's salary can be exchanged for childcare vouchers.
FLEXIBLE WORKING
This explains the Trust's policies which allow its employees to adopt more flexible working methods including self rostering, home working and defining their working hours according to their circumstances.
IMPROVING WORKING LIVES (IWL) TEAM
This section explains the make up of the IWL team and reporting structure.
INFORMATION EXCHANGE (INFOX)
Infox is a confidential service which allows Trust staff to suggest improvements and express any concerns they may have about any aspect of work in the Trust.
NHS DISCOUNT SCHEME
Contains details of a web site providing discounts on a wide range of products and services exclusively to NHS staff.
NHS LEARNING ACCOUNTS (NHS LA)
The ILA scheme allows NHS staff to obtain professional qualfications, for example, by providing dedicated training to NVQ Levels 2 and 3.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT ADVICE SERVICE (PDAS)
A number of advisors working in the Trust are able to provide confidential and impartial advice and information on learning and career opportunities. View our diary of Courses and Events and links to useful websites.
RETURNING TO WORK
Returning to work can be daunting after a period absence - there new departments, services and people. This support pack aims to help you around any barriers and provides information about the support that is available to you.
STAFF SURVEYS
Staff surveys for the years 2001 - 2004 are available.
SUFFOLK CHILDCARE INFORMATION SERVICE
Contact the Suffolk Childcare Information service to find out more about childcare facilities in this area.
TRUST VALUES
Values are important to the Trust as they describe the way in which we work. They cover beliefs, behaviour, relationships, learning and approach. (This is contained in the 'About the Trust' section)
WORK LIFE BALANCE
Work-Life Balance is a term that relates the everybody who has home and work commitments. This section explains the support that the Trust can give to help put you back in control of your work-life balance.